Horns Helping Horns is a program for financially independent students and foster care alumni who arrive at UT Austin with little or no family support and very limited resources. The program provides students with advocacy, community, and support through their time at UT Austin.
Tuition Exemption for Foster and Adopted Children
Students who have a history of foster care in the State of Texas may be eligible to receive a Tuition and Fee Waiver from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Eligibility: To see if you may be eligible for the waiver, please visit www.dfps.texas.gov to view the list of DFPS requirements.
Next Steps: Obtain documents from the Department of Family and Protective Services and present them to Student Accounts Receiveable, tuition@austin.utexas.edu.
Note: You will only submit your waiver once before starting your first semester and it will carry forward as you remain enrolled.
Questions: If you have any questions about your eligibility for the waiver or what to do once you've secured it, please contact Texas One Stop at onestop.utexas.edu for support.
Learn about Horns Helping Horns
The Horns Helping Horns program has many benefits, services and resources for our student members.
Application
Applications are currently closed, but spots open throughout the year. If you are interested in applying, please check back in the Spring. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jessica Timpson at jessica.timpson@austin.utexas.edu.
Mentorship Program
Horns Helping Horns members have the option to participate in our mentorship program. Mentors are UT Austin staff from both academics and student affairs.
Stay Up to Date
Horns Helping Horns produces monthly newsletters during the school year in addition to creating yearly reports. Check out the articles that Horns Helping Horns has been featured in.
Contact Us
Jessica Timpson, LMSW (she/her)
HHH Program Coordinator
jessica.timpson@austin.utexas.edu
For Donors
Gifts from alumni, parents and friends of The University of Texas at Austin fund Horns Helping Horns.
Resource List
Tuition Exemption for Foster and Adopted Children
Students who have a history of foster care in the State of Texas may be eligible to receive a Tuition and Fee Waiver from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
To see if you may be eligible for the waiver, please visit www.dfps.texas.gov.
SPARK program
Spark, our sister program at the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing, has created a network of support to assist current and potential college students who have experienced foster care to achieve educational success. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3RFGqe6.
Transitional Living Services for Youth and Young Adults
Transitional Living Services, programs, and benefits help foster care youth and young adults make the transition to adulthood smoother and help them identify and achieve long-term education, career, and life goals. More information can be found at www.dfps.texas.gov.